Effective minimum wattage for the following setup

Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT on
one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)

At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.

Recommended makes for quality and quietness?

Wattage? 600w? this thing is normally on 24/7 so excessive in-efficiency
is not good. eg some units reported 1kw of input, so that is 20cents (
approx 17cents plus GST) an hour.....so that is potentially (1 x 24 x
365) $1752 in electrcity per year.....ouch....(maximum I know....but
even if it is 50% of the max rating....that is a huge add to the bill
every month....

I know some high wattage units are horrendious power users and noisey, I
need as quiet as I can get....especially when the athlon chip is in
quiet mode...I am doing audio recording & stuff so noise is an issue....

Based on the above cost....paying even $100 more for the same "450watt"
unit where it is more efficient makes a lot of sense...then there is the
fan noise to disappate this waste heat....

Advertisements

thingy wrote:
> Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT on
> one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>
> At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.
>
> Recommended makes for quality and quietness?
>
> Wattage? 600w? this thing is normally on 24/7 so excessive in-efficiency
> is not good. eg some units reported 1kw of input, so that is 20cents (
> approx 17cents plus GST) an hour.....so that is potentially (1 x 24 x
> 365) $1752 in electrcity per year.....ouch....(maximum I know....but
> even if it is 50% of the max rating....that is a huge add to the bill
> every month....
>
> I know some high wattage units are horrendious power users and noisey, I
> need as quiet as I can get....especially when the athlon chip is in
> quiet mode...I am doing audio recording & stuff so noise is an issue....
>
> Based on the above cost....paying even $100 more for the same "450watt"
> unit where it is more efficient makes a lot of sense...then there is the
> fan noise to disappate this waste heat....

You need to look at the efficiancy across the board, not juat at the peak load
or the more common best figure on whatever load.

and 17c+gst is a lot for a unit of power - Im on 11.7 +GST, but theres the 10%
discount to be applied to that too.

Advertisements

Richard wrote:
> thingy wrote:
>
>> Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT
>> on one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>>
>> At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.
>>
>> Recommended makes for quality and quietness?
>>
>> Wattage? 600w? this thing is normally on 24/7 so excessive
>> in-efficiency is not good. eg some units reported 1kw of input, so
>> that is 20cents ( approx 17cents plus GST) an hour.....so that is
>> potentially (1 x 24 x 365) $1752 in electrcity per
>> year.....ouch....(maximum I know....but even if it is 50% of the max
>> rating....that is a huge add to the bill every month....
>>
>> I know some high wattage units are horrendious power users and noisey,
>> I need as quiet as I can get....especially when the athlon chip is in
>> quiet mode...I am doing audio recording & stuff so noise is an issue....
>>
>> Based on the above cost....paying even $100 more for the same
>> "450watt" unit where it is more efficient makes a lot of sense...then
>> there is the fan noise to disappate this waste heat....
>
>
> You need to look at the efficiancy across the board, not juat at the
> peak load or the more common best figure on whatever load.

Yes I agree, but cannot find any data (that I can trust) so far that
gives this. As a guide though a bad efficiency unit at full load is
still going to be bad at typical or mid load I suspect. I assume there
will be an efficiency curve you can plot off but whether this is
available and if its manufacturers data it is questionable. ie some
reputable manufacturers might supply decent data, some dodgy ones may
not provide it or supply invented data, how will you know?
> and 17c+gst is a lot for a unit of power - Im on 11.7 +GST, but theres
> the 10% discount to be applied to that too.

My existing charge is circa 16 cents kwh, but over the 3 year life of
the PSU / computer that is going to rise, so I picked 20 cents as a mean
cost over 3 years.

Also you should really take the monthly charge and divide it by the
average kwh you use per month and add it to the actual kwh....

On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 12:27:37 +1300, thingy wrote:
> Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT on
> one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>
> At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.
>
> Recommended makes for quality and quietness?

thingy wrote:
> Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT
> on one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>
> At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.

<snip>

Without knowing what make your current unit is it's impossible to say if
it'll do the job. Also, what h/w are you running on it now?

As I'm sure you are aware, there are 450W units that output 300W at best and
there are 450W units that handle 500W peak easilly.
--
~misfit~

~misfit~ wrote:
> thingy wrote:
>
>>Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT
>>on one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>>
>>At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.
>
>
> <snip>
>
> Without knowing what make your current unit is it's impossible to say if
> it'll do the job. Also, what h/w are you running on it now?
>
> As I'm sure you are aware, there are 450W units that output 300W at best and
> there are 450W units that handle 500W peak easilly.

Yeah....exactly....

I have found a piece on Tomshardware, enermax seems well thought of,
efficient, quiet and available over here and sli ready (unlikely I will
want/afford that though).

thingy wrote:
> ~misfit~ wrote:
>> thingy wrote:
>>
>>> Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte
>>> 6600GT on one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>>>
>>> At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.
>>
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> Without knowing what make your current unit is it's impossible to
>> say if it'll do the job. Also, what h/w are you running on it now?
>>
>> As I'm sure you are aware, there are 450W units that output 300W at
>> best and there are 450W units that handle 500W peak easilly.
>
> Yeah....exactly....
>
> I have found a piece on Tomshardware, enermax seems well thought of,
> efficient, quiet and available over here and sli ready (unlikely I
> will want/afford that though).
>
> http://www.ascent.co.nz/ProductSpecification.aspx?ItemID=342308
>
> I have a raidmax 400w unit running a dual p3-1000 with a 6600GT Legend
> VGA card. Misc stuff like 3 hds, firewire.....uw scsi (adaptec 3940)
> external Creative sound card...3 fans...seems OK.
>
> raidmax ~
>
> http://www.ascent.co.nz/ProductSpecification.aspx?ItemID=337150
>
> The ATX box I am going to use for the new PC has a dead 350w unit, so
> I need a new one anyway (geeze a dual p3-500 was the bees knees not
> that long ago now its worth diddly squat!)
>
> I dont like the raidmax because of the fan noise, otherwise it is
> fine.

It seems rather too cheap to be great. Probably fine for a Barton-type
system but I'd replace it for your new system. Yes, Enermax are a respected
brand, one of the top five or six most recommended AFAIS. (Seen)
--
~misfit~

they also have other articles detailing quietness combined with the other
necessary factors.

If you want quiet and go for a fanless PSU, don't forget something still has
to blow air over the psu otherwise you get a stinking hot case and hot CPU
as a consequence, so you have to have a fan somewhere ==> fanless psu's
don't really exist...

12cm case fans are a good starter as at much lower rev's and lower noise
they move as much air.

If you want a quiet system, build it from quiet parts and avoid parts
thatneed fans (EG high dissipation graphics cards - unless high perf
graphics is a requisite). Adding dampening to quieten down afterwards is
largely a waste of time.

"thingy" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Athlon x2, gigabyte pci-exp motherboard, either a dual giabyte 6600GT on
> one card or a 6800 (or something of a similar spec)
>
> At present I have a 450watt unit....suspect I need to upgrade.
>
> Recommended makes for quality and quietness?
>
> Wattage? 600w? this thing is normally on 24/7 so excessive in-efficiency
> is not good. eg some units reported 1kw of input, so that is 20cents (
> approx 17cents plus GST) an hour.....so that is potentially (1 x 24 x 365)
> $1752 in electrcity per year.....ouch....(maximum I know....but even if it
> is 50% of the max rating....that is a huge add to the bill every month....
>
> I know some high wattage units are horrendious power users and noisey, I
> need as quiet as I can get....especially when the athlon chip is in quiet
> mode...I am doing audio recording & stuff so noise is an issue....
>
> Based on the above cost....paying even $100 more for the same "450watt"
> unit where it is more efficient makes a lot of sense...then there is the
> fan noise to disappate this waste heat....
>
> ik........
>
> regards
>
> Thing

On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 13:30:27 +1300, thingy wrote:
>> As I'm sure you are aware, there are 450W units that output 300W at best and
>> there are 450W units that handle 500W peak easilly.
>
> Yeah....exactly....
>
> I have found a piece on Tomshardware, enermax seems well thought of,
> efficient, quiet and available over here and sli ready (unlikely I will
> want/afford that though).
>
> http://www.ascent.co.nz/ProductSpecification.aspx?ItemID=342308

I got a enermax eg495p-ve from computer lounge a couple of months ago for
about $130. 485 watt.

Purchased some other brand from them. Forget what it was now. It lasted two
months. Then dead in the morning....

My power lines ?

No, several other computers here on the same line, no problem, and all the
PSU's in them are literally YEARS old. e.g. 4, 5. All running motherboard
cpu's, etc only 2, 3 years old. 300 watt.

Got ther enermax from Computer Lunge. Cheaper, post included, credit card.
Ascent are good but started to think their PSU's are jinxed! lol.

Now I have said it out loud, this new enermax will play up too no doubt....

(also went through two benq dw1620 dvd writes in the same psu period...
still highly suspicious, but I am good at getting the 1 in a thousand going
by past history)...

Get the enermax. Good rep, not too dear.
> The ATX box I am going to use for the new PC has a dead 350w unit, so I
> need a new one anyway (geeze a dual p3-500 was the bees knees not that
> long ago now its worth diddly squat!)

You will not need some huge 500w monster. I ran my main comp (specs above)
on the ancient 300w psu stolen from the spare comp for a month without
issues.

General consensus is that it is difficult to get a computer to use much
more than 200w in normal use. For details, read Dan's Data web site and
Toms hardware.

Or, just get that enermax. Not the only good psu on the market here, but at
the cheaper end of the most respetced.

YMMV.
> I dont like the raidmax because of the fan noise, otherwise it is fine.

Mine were the same. When they worked! Cheap and nasty. Can't skimp on a PSU
by the looks - too many corners are cut in the manufactor stage and the
last thing you need is for it to got open circuit to 240vac, taking
EVERYTHING else in the comp with it.

--

.... Brendan

#98450 +(3833)- [X]

Jakefeb3: do you know a turtles only weakness?
AvatarOfSolusek: no
AvatarOfSolusek: well
AvatarOfSolusek: thier slowness
Jakefeb3: there weakness is they cant roll over when they are on their
backs
AvatarOfSolusek: lol
Jakefeb3: now i have a plan
Jakefeb3: if i duck tape 2 turtles together they are unstoppable

Note: All my comments are copyright 31/10/2005 1:37:43 p.m. and are opinion only where not otherwise stated and always "to the best of my recollection". www.computerman.orcon.net.nz.

Brendan wrote:
> On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 13:30:27 +1300, thingy wrote:
>
>
>>>As I'm sure you are aware, there are 450W units that output 300W at best and
>>>there are 450W units that handle 500W peak easilly.
>>
>>Yeah....exactly....
>>
>>I have found a piece on Tomshardware, enermax seems well thought of,
>>efficient, quiet and available over here and sli ready (unlikely I will
>>want/afford that though).
>>
>>http://www.ascent.co.nz/ProductSpecification.aspx?ItemID=342308
>
>
> I got a enermax eg495p-ve from computer lounge a couple of months ago for
> about $130. 485 watt.
>
> I am running a athlon 64 3000+ cpu on a nforce 3 250gb motherboard,
> pathetic nvidia 5200 graphics (which never the less needs a extra 12v drive
> lead plugged into it for power), two SATA drives, 1 cd writer, 1 dvd
> writer, 4 fans. 1 internal pci adsl card, LAN nic, etc.
>
> Hasn't put a foot wrong so far, seems pretty quiet. This psu has a pot on
> the back for adjust fan speed, and is also temperature auto controlled. Has
> nice long leads. Seems quite quiet. And I am sensitive to noise (even got a
> huge fanless heatpipe heatsink for the cpu).
>
>
>>I have a raidmax 400w unit running a dual p3-1000 with a 6600GT Legend
>>VGA card. Misc stuff like 3 hds, firewire.....uw scsi (adaptec 3940)
>>external Creative sound card...3 fans...seems OK.
>>
>>raidmax ~
>>
>>http://www.ascent.co.nz/ProductSpecification.aspx?ItemID=337150
>
>
> Raidmax are crap.
>
> I went trought 2 or three of them from ascent before they gave in and
> decided to refund me their purchase price (got it with a case..)...
>
> Wait for it...
>
> Wait..........
>
> $30.
>
> Yes indeed, the raidmax 420 watt psu refund got me a whole $30. Shows the
> quality.
>
> Purchased some other brand from them. Forget what it was now. It lasted two
> months. Then dead in the morning....
>
> My power lines ?
>
> No, several other computers here on the same line, no problem, and all the
> PSU's in them are literally YEARS old. e.g. 4, 5. All running motherboard
> cpu's, etc only 2, 3 years old. 300 watt.
>
> Got ther enermax from Computer Lunge. Cheaper, post included, credit card.
> Ascent are good but started to think their PSU's are jinxed! lol.
>
> Now I have said it out loud, this new enermax will play up too no doubt....
>
> (also went through two benq dw1620 dvd writes in the same psu period...
> still highly suspicious, but I am good at getting the 1 in a thousand going
> by past history)...
>
> Get the enermax. Good rep, not too dear.
>
>
>>The ATX box I am going to use for the new PC has a dead 350w unit, so I
>>need a new one anyway (geeze a dual p3-500 was the bees knees not that
>>long ago now its worth diddly squat!)
>
>
> You will not need some huge 500w monster. I ran my main comp (specs above)
> on the ancient 300w psu stolen from the spare comp for a month without
> issues.
>
> General consensus is that it is difficult to get a computer to use much
> more than 200w in normal use. For details, read Dan's Data web site and
> Toms hardware.
>
> Or, just get that enermax. Not the only good psu on the market here, but at
> the cheaper end of the most respetced.
>
> YMMV.
>
>
>>I dont like the raidmax because of the fan noise, otherwise it is fine.
>
>
> Mine were the same. When they worked! Cheap and nasty. Can't skimp on a PSU
> by the looks - too many corners are cut in the manufactor stage and the
> last thing you need is for it to got open circuit to 240vac, taking
> EVERYTHING else in the comp with it.
>

I just went off the raidmax.....400watts be buggered........the system
wont boot up with the 6600GT in it......

Even reading in the new 7800GTX they only pull 380 odd and this is far
smaller....

I decided on the 600watt Enermax noisetaker.....SLI ready....almost silent.

On Mon, 07 Nov 2005 15:42:03 +1300, thing2 wrote:
> I just went off the raidmax.....400watts be buggered........the system
> wont boot up with the 6600GT in it......
>
> Even reading in the new 7800GTX they only pull 380 odd and this is far
> smaller....

Telling, isn't it ? Pile of shit those raidmax psu's. Probably could not
even handle the modest requirements of my system, hence kept overheating
and then failing.

Well done on dodging THAT bullet.
> I decided on the 600watt Enermax noisetaker.....SLI ready....almost silent.

Hope it's not overkill for you, but atleast you should have a decent psu.

--

.... Brendan

#462310 +(4209)- [X]

< robT> Name ONE thing that your windows comp can do that my MAC cant
< bawss> Right click.

Note: All my comments are copyright 8/11/2005 12:11:14 a.m. and are opinion only where not otherwise stated and always "to the best of my recollection". www.computerman.orcon.net.nz.

Share This Page

Welcome to Velocity Reviews!

Welcome to the Velocity Reviews, the place to come for the latest tech news and reviews.

Please join our friendly community by clicking the button below - it only takes a few seconds and is totally free. You'll be able to chat with other enthusiasts and get tech help from other members.
Sign up now!